A Brief Look At Virginia Midterm Outcomes Since 1960

By Bob Lewis, Virginia Mercury

November 9, 2022

1966 – As LBJ and Democrats’ historic grip on the South slips, the GOP gains two of Virginia’s 10 House seats, cutting Dems’ majority from 8-2 to 6-4 and beginning a multiyear upward trajectory for Republicans.

1970 – A one-seat gain gives the GOP its first delegation majority (6-4) since Reconstruction. It lasts 16 years.

1974 – A two-seat Democratic gain in the first election after Watergate wipes out the 7-3 GOP edge gained in Nixon’s landslide 1972 re-election for a 5-5 split.

1978 –A 6-4 edge the GOP won in the 1976 Carter presidential election year remains unchanged.

1982 — Democrats take back three seats from a 9-1 GOP delegation at the height of its power with Reagan’s election.

1986 – The GOP’s hold weakens in Reagan’s second term. The delegation returns to a 5-5 split.

1990 – Democrats gain one seat, winning a majority they will hold until 2000.

1994 – The GOP gains one seat in Clinton’s first midterm, dropping the Democrats’ edge from 7-4 to 6-5. (Virginia gained an 11th congressional seat in 1992.)

1998 – The 6-5 Republican advantage holds.

2002 – In a rare midterm rout by a party in the White House (G.W. Bush), the GOP wins three seats to secure an 8-3 majority.

2006 – The 8-3 GOP majority is unchanged in Bush’s difficult second midterm.

2010 – The Tea Party GOP gains three seats in Obama’s first midterm, retaking the delegation majority, 8-3.

2014 – The 8-3 GOP majority holds.

2018 – Dems gain three seats in Trump’s disastrous midterm to take a 7-4 delegation majority.

2022 – A possible crimson tide is little more than a ripple. A one-seat GOP gain trims Dems’ edge to 6-5.

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This story was originally published by the Virginia Mercury. For more stories from the Virginia Mercury, visit Virginia Mercury.com.